Our Mines

How We Mine

Step 1 –
Estimate Coal Seams
Teams of geologists and engineers
estimate quantity, quality and depth of
coal in a proposed area through a
variety of proven methods, utilizing
computer modeling software and data
including information from core
drilling.

Step 3 –
Develop Mine Plan
Mining engineers outline how to mine and
restore the property once mining is
complete through computer-aided
sequencing and three-dimensional
modeling.

Step 4 –
Analyze Costs
Financial analysts work with mine
managers to determine the costs involved
in mining a particular piece of land
based on coal seam and environmental
evaluations.

Step 5 – Seek
Permits
If the cost-analysis justifies mining
coal in a particular area, we begin the
permitting process. Mining is heavily
regulated by state and federal agencies,
including the Office of Surface Mining,
Bureau of Land Management, Environmental
Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, as well as the appropriate
state and local entities. Typically, it
takes several years to obtain all the
necessary permits to mine coal in the
U.S.

Step 6 – Mine
the Coal
When planning is completed and all
permits granted, mining begins. Seams of
coal may be close to the surface or
buried deep underground.
Surface mining is the technique used
when coal is found near the surface.
Underground mining is used to extract
coal lying deep beneath the surface.
Surface mines use large earth-moving
equipment, such as draglines, shovels
and loaders. Underground mines use
longwall systems or continuous miners.

Step 7 – Ship
Coal to Customers
Some coal is cleaned, sorted and crushed
to different sizes at preparation plants
before loading for delivery, while other
coal is shipped raw. Coal is usually
loaded and shipped by railroad or river
barge. Arch ships most production to
electric utilities that burn coal to
generate electricity. We mine low-sulfur
coal exclusively.

Step 8 –
Reclaim the Land
Reclamation is carefully planned, and is
part of the total process from start to
finish. Environmental experts work with
landowners, state and federal officials
and other interested parties to
determine the most desirable use of the
land. Therefore, reclamation varies from
area to area and site to site. There are
many uses for reclaimed land, including
farming, grazing, commercial forestry,
fish and wildlife habitat, economic
development projects, and recreational
activities like hunting, fishing and
golfing.

With new
technology and improving scientific
methods, it’s often hard to tell which
land has been mined and which hasn’t.
See for yourself in this series of
photos taken on Arch’s
reclaimed mine lands.